Lucas (Must Love Danger #5) - Emily Jane Trent

Chapter 1

In January, the temperatures in Philly dropped below freezing. While Lucas Parker sat and stared out the airport window, snow piled up outside. If the storm continued, his flight might not take off. He settled in to wait and see.

A gorgeous woman with dark eyes and long, shiny black hair strode by. Things were definitely looking up. Maybe she was on his flight, which would be even better. She wore a slinky fur coat that hung to her hips, and leather high-heeled boots. Lucas ogled her long legs, approving of her choice to wear black tights.

She passed his waiting area, giving Lucas a whiff of her perfume on the way by. He craned his neck to see where she went. Rolling her suitcase behind her, the woman went to the next waiting area and gazed at the arrivals and departures display.

When the woman took a seat and shed her coat, Lucas paid attention. She wore a fitted sweater that showed off her curves. To get a better view, he switched seats. Facing her way, Lucas watched her scroll on her phone. The way she carried herself intrigued him.

After the woman slipped her phone in a bag, she looked up. Lucas couldn’t resist staring. She was gorgeous. He guessed that she was about his age, although she seemed mature. Maybe it was the clothes or the way she held her chin high. There was something in her demeanor that gave her a star quality.

The woman gazed at the other waiting passengers, then noticed Lucas. When their eyes met, she didn’t look away. For a second, she stared back then smiled. That was all the encouragement Lucas needed. He went over to introduce himself.

There was a chance that he would never see her again, but talking with her would certainly make the wait more tolerable. Standing in front of her, Lucas said, “You look as bored as I am.”

“It’s that obvious?”

The lilt of her voice set his heart on fire. With that one sentence, Lucas was charmed by her deep, sexy tone. “I’m Lucas Parker. I’m waiting for a flight to San Diego.”

“I’m Haylee Nichols,” she said. “On my way to Los Angeles.”

Lucas sat beside her. “Why is a woman from Philly going to California?”

“I’m a singer,” Haylee said. “I’m going to L.A. to become famous.”

Lucas laughed with her. He liked a woman who didn’t take herself too seriously.

“And why is a guy from Philly going to San Diego?”

“I’m in the Navy,” Lucas said. “I finished recruit training in Illinois. I’ve been home for a couple of weeks, and now I’m heading to SEAL training. I have at least a year and a half before I join a team, then another year of training before deployment.”

“It sounds hard.”

“I passed the screening,” Lucas said, “so I think I’m up for it.”

“Why do you want to be a SEAL?”

Lucas shrugged. “I’ve always been headstrong. I thought it would be smart to funnel that in the right direction. And I want to see if I have what it takes. The training is intense, but if I make the cut, there are some good opportunities.”

Haylee studied him. “You’re an interesting person. All the guys I know just want to go to college and get drunk and party.”

An announcement caught Haylee’s attention, and she turned to see that her flight had been delayed. “It figures. I wonder how long I’ll be stuck here.”

Lucas wouldn’t mind being stuck for a while if he could talk to Haylee longer. And he got his wish. Right after Haylee crossed her legs, prepared to wait, there was an announcement in the adjacent waiting area.

“Looks like I’m not going anywhere either,” Lucas said. “This waiting area is not exactly comfortable. Can I buy you coffee, lunch…anything at all?”

Haylee grinned, showing perfect white teeth. “Sure, why not.”

Over sandwiches, Lucas got to know Haylee better. She was a year younger than he was and had just graduated high school. She had lived in Philly all her life, making him wonder why he hadn’t seen her before. He certainly would have noticed if their paths had crossed.

“So, big star, what do you sing?” Lucas said.

Haylee smiled, brightening the café. “Pop music, mostly. I write my own stuff.”

“Have I heard any of it?”

“I doubt it,” Haylee said. “I’ve only performed at small venues. But I’m going to change that. Beyoncé is my idol. I don’t know if I could ever be that good, but I intend to try.”

Lucas could envision that happening. Haylee had the dark